How Color Correction and Color Grading Take Video to the Next Level

July 27, 2018

Just because the camera stops rolling, doesn't mean our job is done. Once our cinematographer and production team have wrapped, the next stop is post-production.

In post-production, our video editors turn the cinematographer's raw footage into a compelling story. Using video editing software, they review, select, and assemble the scenes in an artful and logical way. To elevate viewer experience, they carefully incorporate and augment audio and visual aspects.

A key part of the video editing process, is enhancing the footage through color correction and color grading.

Color Correction Fixes Problems

The first and more technical part of the color enhancement process is color correction. This is where the editor will address the quality of the video by adjusting for over or under-exposure, correcting white balance, enhancing lighting, removing unwanted tints of color, and so much more. By cleaning up the footage, the final product will look the way it was intended to.

At Image Studios, we apply color correction to every video we touch. In some cases, this is where the color enhancement process stops. For example, if the video is a testimonial or product demo, the subject of the video should look exactly as the human eye would see them.

Color Grading Sets the Tone

Depending on the creative direction, we may or may not incorporate color grading. When used, this artistic expression can dramatically impact the aesthetic of the video and help craft the look and feel of the story. Color grading can convey tone and mood, heightening the narrative and stirring emotion with the viewer.

The examples to the right illustrate how color correction and color grading can take video footage to the next level.

To see samples of our video productions: https://www.imagestudios.com/commercial-video-production